High practical relevance
Geosciences do not only take place in the lecture hall, but also outside or in the laboratory. On field trips, in field practicals and in laboratories, you will learn how to apply theoretical knowledge in practice and gain an insight into current projects.
Networked thinking
Air, water, soil, rock - the aim of geosciences is to understand the earth system as a whole. In order to understand the interactions between the different spheres and how they are influenced by humans, this degree program teaches you to think in a networked way and to combine scientific and social science working methods.
Diverse career prospects
Studying geosciences opens up a wide range of career opportunities, be it in environmental, nature, water, soil and climate protection, planning or materials research. The activities are varied and differ depending on the specialization chosen in the studies.
Current learning content
Fundamental knowledge about the earth system is taught in the lectures. The latest research findings are incorporated to explain current events. Because our environment is constantly changing.
Personal support
Benefit from personal exchanges between students and lecturers during your studies. The atmosphere among students is good, they know each other and support each other. Exchanges with lecturers are also easy, as distances are short and there is always a pending ear for students' concerns.
Study in Basel
Basel is an ideal place for studies: housing is affordable, the university can be reached by bike or public transport within a short time and there is always a lot going on culturally. You can quickly travel abroad or get a taste of "international" life at other universities via EUCOR in Freiburg i.Br., Karlsruhe, Strasbourg or Mulhouse.
Key data | |
| Degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Type | Degree program |
| Start date | Fall semester |
| Regular periods of studies | 6 semesters |
| Credits | 180 |
| Course language | German |
Admission requirements |
| Information on admissions: https://www.unibas.ch/admission |
Dates and deadlines |
| All dates of the University of Basel |
Responsible faculty |
| Faculty of Science |
Study Administration Office Geosciences
Yvonne Steiner Ly
Klingelbergstr. 27, 1st floor, rm 1-04
4056 Basel
Office hours, Mo-Fr, 9-12.15 am
Consultation by appointment
Tel: +41 (0)61 207 36 45
Qualification profile BSc Geosciences (in german only)
Study program BSc Geosciences (valid for all students with starts of program since HS20)
Guidelines BSc Geosciences (in German only)
In order to acquire credit points, course registration in the online services (MOnA) is a prerequisite.
Examinations take the form of assessment formats or main lecture exams. Main lecture exams are assessment formats for the so-called "core lectures" (e.g. System Earth: Humans and Environment or System Earth: Development and Dynamics). They are relevant for exclusion and require a special examination registration procedure. See website of the Office of the Dean of Studies. For all other courses you are automatically registered for the assessment by course registration in MOnA.
As the courses "System Earth: Humans and Environment" (14525) and "System Earth: Development and Dynamics" (14527) are annual courses, the assessment formats only take place after the end of the spring semester. Course registration is required in autumn and spring semester.
The assessment formats for the main lecture exams usually take place during the lecture-free period (dates of the exams). All other assessment formats take place during the lecture period, unless they are block courses, for example, which take place during the lecture-free period.
Further information on the main lecture exams at the Faculty of Sciences can be found on the website of the Office of the Dean of Studies: https://philnat.unibas.ch/de/examen/
For exam inspections, please refer to theleaflet "Prüfungseinsicht".
In the BSc Geosciences, you have the opportunity to complete a professional internship and have it credited as part of a learning contract. The internship offers a good opportunity to gain initial experience in the professional world and to build up a network for your later career entry.
Before concluding an employment contract, you should clarify with the geociences study office whether the internship is suitable and will be recognized as a vocational internship. For 8 weeks: 10 CP, for 9 weeks: 11 CP and for 10 weeks: 12 CP are recognized.
Instructions how to prepare the learning contract
If the position is suitable, the next step is to enter a learning contract in the MOnA account under "learning contracts". Please refer to the example for correct completion. Leave the status of the learning contract "in progress" and inform the geosciences study office by e-mail so that it can still be checked and any changes made. Alternatively, the learning contract can also be prepared on site at the study office.
The following persons can be considered as assessors: List of possible assessors
After completion of the vocational internship, a copy of the employment reference and an activity report of 2-3 A4 pages must be submitted to the geosciences study office for assessment. Further information on the professional internship can be found in the guidelines.
A bachelor's thesis is part of the studies of Geosciences. It forms the final phase of the bachelor's studies and students use it to demonstrate that they can work independently on small, geosciences research projects and apply the methods and knowledge acquired during their studies. The practical work is accompanied by a written paper. Details can be found in the bachelor's thesis information sheet (in German only).
Declaration of scientific integrity: This declaration must be included as the last page of the thesis. When asked whether this thesis or parts of it will be published, tick YES and enter the date of submission of the bound copy.
A learning contract must be drawn upbefore starting the bachelor's thesis: Learning contract (agreement) bachelor's thesis. Students must also obtain the signature of the assessor (= supervisor). The contract is then sent to the teaching committees via the geosciences study office.
The following persons can be considered as supervisors for the bachelor's thesis: List of possible bachelor's thesis supervisors
After completing the bachelor's thesis, the learning contract must be assessed and the assessment forms for the bachelor's thesis must be completed. Both documents must be completed by the assessor and submitted to the relevant research group secretariat.
The assessed learning contract, the assessment forms and a copy of the title page must be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Studies by Friday before the start of lectures at the latest s. Regulations on compulsory enrollment for coursework and examinations (in German only). Students must agree the submission deadline with their supervisor accordingly. All documents are submitted to the Dean of Studies by the supervisor's office.
Concerning the use of AI tools please contact your supervisor before you start with your bachelor's thesis.
Before you start the last semester of your bachelor's studies, we recommend that you send a module assignment to the Geosciences study office for review. So you will ensure that you have completed or registered for all the necessary courses.
Credit points are indicated for each course in the modules. More than the minimum required CPs may be completed per module. However, there is a maximum number of CPs for individual course types (see guidelines).
Compensation for insufficient grades - and thus the CPs earned as a result - is only made at the end of the studies directly before the certificate is issued and is not visible on MOnA.
In the final semester, a so-called "Bachelor's degree declaration of intent" must be completed by mid-July (for the spring semester) and mid-January (for the fall semester) at the latest. More detailed information can be found on the website of the Office of the Dean of Studies of the Faculty of Sciences: https://philnat.unibas.ch/de/studium/bachelor/absichtserklaerung/.
The bachelor's graduation ceremonies are organized by the Office of the Dean of Studies and take place in October. However, degree transcripts are also issued and sent upon graduation in the fall semester.